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After the shift change, which patient in the emergency department should the nurse prioritize for assessment?

A.

A 39-year-old patient experiencing tenderness and swelling in the right calf following a flight.

B.

A 58-year-old patient on anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation presenting with black stools.

C.

A 67-year-old patient with a gangrenous foot ulcer and a weak pedal pulse.

D.

A 50-year-old patient reporting sudden, severe upper back pain.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale
A 39-year-old patient experiencing tenderness and swelling in the right calf following a flight may be experiencing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism if not treated. However, DVT is not immediately life-threatening in most cases. 
Choice B rationale
A 58-year-old patient on anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation presenting with black stools is likely experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding, a common side effect of anticoagulant therapy. This can lead to severe blood loss, anemia, and hypovolemic shock, which can be life-threatening if not promptly addressed. Therefore, this patient should be prioritized for assessment.
Choice C rationale
A 67-year-old patient with a gangrenous foot ulcer and a weak pedal pulse likely has peripheral artery disease and an infection that could lead to sepsis if not treated. However, while this condition needs medical attention, it is not as immediately life-threatening as gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice D rationale
A 50-year-old patient reporting sudden, severe upper back pain could be experiencing a number of conditions, ranging from musculoskeletal strain to aortic dissection. While an aortic dissection is a medical emergency, without additional symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, this patient is not the highest priority.
 


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Clubbed fingers can be a symptom of conditions such as endocarditis, a heart condition that involves inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
Choice B rationale
While myocardial infarction (heart attack) is a serious condition, it is not typically associated with clubbing of the fingers.
Choice C rationale
Acute kidney injury does not typically cause clubbing of the fingers.
Choice D rationale
Chronic thrombophlebitis, a condition characterized by inflammation and blood clots in the veins, is not typically associated with clubbing of the fingers.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Calcium channel blockers are primarily used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain heart arrhythmias. They work by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels. While they can affect heart rate and blood pressure, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with intermittent chest pain.
Choice B rationale
Phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), are used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. These medications can interact with nitroglycerin, a common medication used to treat chest pain, to cause a severe and life-threatening drop in blood pressure. Therefore, it’s crucial to know if a patient is taking this type of medication when they present with chest pain.
Choice C rationale
Anticoagulants are used to prevent blood clots. If a patient is taking an anticoagulant, it could affect their clotting times and could be important if the patient needs surgery or if the cause of their chest pain is a clot. However, this would not typically have immediate implications for the treatment of chest pain.
Choice D rationale
Loop diuretics are strong diuretics that are used to treat edema and hypertension. They work by preventing your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in your urine. While important to know for overall patient care, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with chest pain.

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